Using LinkedIn in your job search: Personalize your invitations!

April 28, 9:01 PMJob Search ExaminerStephanie Lloyd

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Recently I received this invitation on LinkedIn from someone I’m following on Twitter, and she is kind enough to allow me to share.

From: Kate West
Date: 4/25/2009
Subject: Twitter

Hello Stephanie - I added you on Twitter - great info, thanks so much! A lot of things that are obvious, but we don't always think about, right? Care to add me on this network as well? I'm under KateWestReviews on Twitter. That networking tool has proven so fascinating. First Facebook brought me high school (and grammar school) friends (and exes) and now Twitter connects me with people I wouldn't have met otherwise but who turn out to be really interesting. I'm impressed with your resume - who says women can't do numbers? Thanks again!

Kate West
Kate West Reviews

It really grabbed my attention, for several reasons:

1. Kate demonstrated that she had read my profile.
2. She referenced that we’re already connected and how, and provided her Twitter ID so I would know exactly who she is without having to search.
3. She shared several things about herself, including her sense of humor!
4. She thanked me for the information I share on Twitter and complimented my LinkedIn profile.

I recently stated on Twitter that auto-anything doesn’t cut it anymore - including the default LinkedIn invitation.

To stand out, be memorable and intriguing to those you connect with via social media -- just as you would in person. Following are a few of Dale Carnegie’s principles from his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” that you may want to keep in mind the next time you invite someone to connect with you:

• Give honest and sincere appreciation.
• Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
• Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.
• Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

For more information you can contact Stephanie by email and on Twitter. You can invite her to connect on LinkedIn here.